Rainwater toilets and greywater showers: City tries new water-saving tricks

Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but I don’t think the maintenance is as bad as it’s made out to be. Sure, it’s more involved than just flushing and forgetting, but after a few months it’s second nature. I actually found the process kind of satisfying - like, you really see where your water goes. If you’re organized, it’s not a huge time sink.

I actually found the process kind of satisfying - like, you really see where your water goes.

I get that it can become routine, but I still worry about safety and costs down the line. Filters and pumps aren’t cheap to replace, and if you miss a step, you could end up with some nasty plumbing issues. I’ve read stories where people had to shell out a lot for repairs. Maybe it’s just my luck, but I’d rather not risk it unless there’s a solid backup plan in place.

I’ve been through a couple of these “water-saving” retrofits in my buildings, and I’ll be honest - there’s a learning curve, and it’s not always smooth sailing. Here’s what I’ve run into:

- Maintenance is the big one. Filters clog up faster than you’d think, especially if you’ve got a lot of debris in your rainwater catchment. I had to set a strict schedule for cleaning and replacing them, otherwise the pumps started making weird noises... not a good sign.
- Cost-wise, upfront it’s not terrible, but the replacement parts add up. Pumps don’t last forever, and when they go, you’re looking at a few hundred bucks minimum. Had one go out right before a long weekend - of course, right? - and had to pay extra for emergency service.
- Plumbing issues are real. One time, a tenant flushed something they shouldn’t have, and the greywater system backed up. Not fun, and definitely not cheap to fix. Insurance didn’t cover it either since it was considered “preventable.”
- On the plus side, water bills dropped noticeably, especially in summer. That’s the main reason I stuck with it. But you’ve got to stay on top of the upkeep, or the savings disappear fast.

I get where you’re coming from about wanting a backup plan. I always kept the original plumbing as a fallback, just in case. It’s more work, but it’s saved me more than once. If you’re not ready to babysit the system, it can turn into a headache.

It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Some tenants actually like the idea and are careful with what goes down the drain. Others... not so much. I guess it depends on who’s using it and how much you’re willing to stay involved.

Keeping the backup plumbing is underrated - totally agree there. I’ve seen more than one “green” system get sidelined after a filter clogged or a pump fried, and suddenly everyone’s running around with buckets. Not the eco-friendly vibe they were going for.

Maintenance is definitely the name of the game. I remember my first time cleaning out a rainwater filter - thought it’d be a quick job, but nope, ended up elbow-deep in what looked like pond soup. Didn’t realize how fast those things can gunk up, especially after a storm. Now I tell people: if you’re not into regular checkups, these systems will humble you real quick.

The cost thing’s sneaky too. Folks see the lower water bill and think they’re set, but between replacement pumps and emergency calls (always on holidays, right?), it adds up. I’ve started keeping spare parts on hand just in case - learned that lesson after waiting three days for a new pump while tenants got grumpy.

As for tenants, it’s a mixed bag. Some are super careful - one lady even put up her own “no weird stuff down the drains” sign in the laundry room. Others just... don’t get it. Had someone flush a mop head once. Still not sure how that even fit.

One thing that helps: putting together a quick “how-to” sheet for tenants about what can and can’t go down the drains. It won’t stop every mishap, but it cuts down on surprises.

All in all, these setups are great if you’re willing to stay hands-on. If not, they’ll remind you pretty fast why plumbers always have job security...

Rainwater systems sound great on paper, but I’m always wondering about the “what ifs.” Like, what happens if you’re away for a week and a filter clogs up? Or worse, if a pump fails and you don’t catch it right away - could that cause water damage or even mold issues? I get nervous about anything that could go wrong when I’m not around to babysit it.

I’ve looked into these setups for my place, but honestly, the maintenance stories make me pause. Is there any kind of alert system for when something’s off, or is it just regular checks and hoping for the best? I’d love to save water, but not at the cost of surprise plumbing disasters.

Also, how do you handle cleaning out those filters safely? I’ve heard some folks wear gloves and masks because of bacteria - seems smart, but is it really necessary every time? Maybe I’m overthinking it, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. The idea of tenants flushing mop heads... yikes. That’s enough to make me double-check every drain in my house.

I get where you’re coming from - maintenance is the part that kept me on the fence for a while too. There are actually some systems now with built-in sensors that’ll send alerts to your phone if pressure drops or a pump fails, but they’re not standard on every setup and can add to the cost. As for filter cleaning, I always use gloves, especially after seeing what builds up in there... but I don’t bother with a mask unless it’s been sitting for ages or smells off. Mold and leaks are real risks if you don’t keep an eye on things, but with regular checks and a bit of tech, it’s manageable. The mop head thing? That’s just nightmare fuel - definitely worth setting up some drain screens if you’ve got tenants.

- Totally agree - maintenance is the big thing that makes or breaks these setups.
- The phone alerts are a cool upgrade, but yeah, not cheap. I looked into adding some to my system and the price tag was a bit of a shock. If you’re handy, there are some DIY sensor kits out there that cost less, but they take some tinkering and patience.

- On filter cleaning, same here with gloves. I learned the hard way after pulling out a filter that had been sitting too long... let’s just say, never again without gloves. I actually do use a mask sometimes, especially in summer when stuff gets funky fast. Maybe I’m just paranoid after dealing with a musty tank once.

- Mold is no joke. I had a slow leak under the shower tray last year and didn’t notice until the grout started turning black. Ended up having to rip out part of the floor, which was a pain. Now I do a quick check every weekend - just a flashlight and a sniff test.

- About the mop head - yikes. I’ve found all sorts of random things in the drain traps over the years (hair ties, a Lego, even a golf tee once), but nothing that bad. Drain screens are a must if you’ve got kids or renters. Saves a ton of hassle.

- One thing I’d add: don’t skip the annual flush of the whole system. I skipped it one year and got this weird algae bloom that made everything smell like pond water. A couple hours with a hose and some diluted bleach fixed it, but lesson learned.

- For anyone on the fence, it’s definitely more work than a regular setup, but once you get into a routine, it’s not overwhelming. Plus, cutting down on water bills is pretty satisfying. Just gotta be ready for the occasional gross-out moment... comes with the territory, I guess.

The annual flush thing really caught my attention - how do you know when it’s time, besides the obvious swampy smell? I’ve only been running my setup for about a year, and I’m still figuring out the rhythm. I do a monthly filter rinse, but I’m never sure if that’s overkill or not enough. Has anyone tried using vinegar instead of bleach for the flush? I’m always a little wary about chemicals leaching into the garden beds downstream. Also, curious if anyone’s had luck with natural mold preventers - tea tree oil or something? I had a patch of mildew pop up last spring and it was a pain to get rid of.

I’m in the same boat - still figuring out what’s “normal” for my system. Last time I noticed a musty smell, I realized I’d gone almost two months without a flush, so maybe my nose is my best sensor for now. I’ve tried vinegar for a quick clean, but not a full flush... didn’t see much difference, honestly, but at least it felt less harsh than bleach. For mold, I wiped down with diluted tea tree oil after rinsing and it seemed to help short term, but I’m not sure if it actually prevents anything long term. Has anyone noticed if changing the flush schedule affects how often mold pops up?

I’ve definitely noticed mold shows up faster if I slack off on flushing. Once, I got lazy and stretched it to six weeks - big mistake. The musty smell was like a haunted basement. Now I try to flush every 3-4 weeks, and it seems to keep things under control. Vinegar’s my go-to too, but I agree, it’s not a miracle worker. Tea tree oil smells nice, but I’m not convinced it does much long term either... at least it feels like I’m trying, right?

- Flushing every 3-4 weeks seems like the sweet spot, yeah. I tried pushing it longer once too and the smell was unreal - like wet socks left in a gym bag.
- Vinegar’s decent for surface stuff, but I’ve read it doesn’t always get deep into the biofilm. Sometimes I wonder if we’re just making things smell less funky instead of actually cleaning.
- Tea tree oil is nice for the vibe, but I haven’t noticed much difference either. Maybe it just masks the mustiness for a bit?
- Honestly, I think regular maintenance is the real “miracle worker” here. Even if it’s a pain, it beats having to scrub out moldy gunk later.

I’ve managed a few properties with rainwater toilets and greywater setups, and honestly, the maintenance is where most folks get tripped up. Flushing every 3-4 weeks sounds about right, but I’ve seen tenants stretch it way longer - usually ends with me getting a call about “mystery odors.” That gym bag smell? Dead on.

Vinegar’s fine for a quick wipe, but I’m skeptical it does much for the gunk that builds up in pipes and tanks. Biofilm’s stubborn stuff. I’ve tried enzyme cleaners a couple times - mixed results, but they seem to break things down better than vinegar or essential oils. Tea tree oil just makes it smell like a spa for a day, then it’s back to swampy.

Honestly, there’s no magic bullet. Regular cleaning, even if it’s a hassle, is the only thing that keeps things from getting gross. I wish there was a shortcut, but I haven’t found one yet. Anyone actually had luck with those “natural” tank tablets? I’m not convinced they do much except turn the water blue.

Vinegar’s fine for a quick wipe, but I’m skeptical it does much for the gunk that builds up in pipes and tanks. Biofilm’s stubborn stuff.

That’s been my experience too. I’ve had a few run-ins with biofilm that made me wonder if anything short of a full tank scrub would do the trick. There was one setup we inherited where the previous owner swore by “natural” tablets - those blue ones that fizz up and promise to keep things fresh. All they really did was stain the inside of the tank and give the water a weird chemical smell. Didn’t touch the buildup at all.

Enzyme cleaners are hit-or-miss, like you said. I remember trying one brand that actually seemed to help for a month or so, but then the sludge came back with a vengeance. Maybe it loosened things up, but didn’t clear them out? It’s hard to say. I’ve also tried flushing with hot water (carefully), which helped a bit, but you have to be careful not to stress any seals or older pipes.

The “gym bag” odor is spot on - had a tenant call it “swamp sock” once, which honestly felt pretty accurate after I popped open the lid. Regular cleaning is just part of the deal with these systems, especially when folks get lax about flushing cycles. I wish there was some magic additive you could toss in and forget about, but every shortcut I’ve seen ends up being more cosmetic than functional.

I will say, regular manual scrubbing (even just every couple months) seems to make the biggest difference long-term. Not glamorous work, but it beats emergency calls about mystery smells at 10pm...

I’m still figuring out the whole rainwater system thing, but this is making me nervous about what’s lurking in my tank. We moved in a few months ago and I thought I was being proactive by dropping in one of those “natural” tablets - guess I fell for the same trick. The water started smelling kind of plasticky after a while, which I just chalked up to “new house weirdness,” but now I’m wondering if it was actually making things worse.

Manual scrubbing sounds like a pain, but if it keeps the “swamp sock” smell away, I’ll take it. Has anyone tried using a pressure washer wand or something similar inside the tank? Or is that overkill? I’m also curious if there’s any way to make the cleaning process less gross... gloves only do so much when you’re elbow-deep in mystery sludge.

It’s wild how much maintenance these systems need compared to regular plumbing. Makes me appreciate city water a bit more, honestly.

Pressure washer wands can work, but you’ve gotta be careful - too much force and you might damage the tank or fittings, especially if it’s plastic. I’ve seen folks use them with a lower setting and a wide spray, just to blast off the gunk without gouging anything. Still, it’s messy no matter what. I usually go with a long-handled brush and some old towels for the worst of it. Ever tried one of those wet/dry shop vacs to suck out the sludge? Wondering if that’d make things less gross or just move the mess around...

Ever tried one of those wet/dry shop vacs to suck out the sludge? Wondering if that’d make things less gross or just move the mess around...

Tried the shop vac route once on a greywater holding tank - honestly, it worked but only up to a point. You’ll pull out the loose stuff, but the heavier gunk tends to cling to the bottom and corners. Ended up having to go in with a brush anyway. If you do use a vac, make sure you’ve got a filter that can handle wet debris, otherwise you’ll just end up clogging it and making more work for yourself. The mess factor doesn’t really go away, it just changes form...

I’ve gone the shop vac route too, and yeah, you’re right - the initial “wow, look at all that stuff coming out” moment doesn’t last long before you hit the stubborn layer. The first time I tried it, I thought I’d be clever and line the tank with a plastic sheet beforehand to make cleaning easier, but the sheet just bunched up and made it worse. Ended up with a messier job and a lot of cursing.

If you’re trying to keep costs down and avoid specialty tools, I’ve found a cheap paint scraper does a decent job dislodging the stuck-on sludge before you vacuum. It’s not glamorous, but it works. Just be careful with plastic tanks - some of them scratch up pretty easily, and that can make cleaning harder next time.

As for the filters, totally agree - don’t skimp there. I learned the hard way that not all shop vac filters are created equal. The standard ones clog up fast with wet gunk, and then you’re left cleaning the vac itself, which is arguably worse than just dealing with the tank sludge.

One thing I did pick up is to let the tank dry out a bit before cleaning. If you can time it so there’s not much water left, the sludge is less soupy and easier to scrape out. Still gross, but at least you’re not dealing with a sludge smoothie.

Honestly, no matter what method you pick, it’s a hands-on job. The vac helps, but there’s always some elbow grease involved. I guess that’s just part of the deal with these water-saving setups… they’re great for the utility bill, but maintenance is a whole other story.

I get what you’re saying about the elbow grease, but I’m not totally convinced it has to be such a pain every time. I’ve actually started using a long-handled toilet brush (the cheap kind, nothing fancy) for the first pass at the sludge, and it’s way less hassle than scraping. It doesn’t scratch up the plastic either, which was a problem for me with metal scrapers. Maybe it doesn’t get every last bit, but it loosens enough that the vac can handle most of it.

Also, I’ve been wondering if there’s a way to cut down on the buildup in the first place. Like, would adding a mesh pre-filter or even just rinsing out the tank more often make a difference? Sometimes I feel like we’re all just resigned to the gross factor, but maybe there’s a smarter workaround.

And yeah, filters are a whole saga. I tried those “universal” ones once - never again. The clogging was unreal. If anyone’s found a reusable filter that actually works, I’d love to hear about it...

Mesh pre-filter’s a solid idea - just make sure it’s fine enough to catch the gunk but not so tight it clogs up every week. I’ve seen folks use nylon stockings as a DIY pre-filter, actually works better than half the “universal” ones out there. Rinsing more often definitely helps, but honestly, some buildup’s just part of the deal with these setups. If you ever find a reusable filter that doesn’t turn into a science experiment after a month, let me know... I’m still looking too.

Honestly, I’ve tried the nylon stocking trick too, and you’re right - it’s surprisingly effective for something so basic. But man, keeping up with rinsing those things gets old fast. I’ve seen some folks swear by stainless mesh screens, but even those seem to get slimy after a while if you’re not on top of maintenance.

Here’s the thing: I’m not convinced there’s a “set it and forget it” filter for these rainwater setups, at least not at a reasonable price point. Maybe it’s just the nature of dealing with all that organic debris? I’ve wondered if adding a first-flush diverter would cut down on the gunk before it even hits the filter - anyone tried that? Or is it just another thing to clean?

Seems like every solution just shifts the hassle somewhere else...